However, Fianna Fail senator Terry Leyden has discovered Mr de Valera's famous "comely maidens and athletic young men" were acting illegally if they were dancing at the crossroads without a licence.

Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Mr Leyden expressed shock that the existing law bans such gatherings.

The Public Dance Halls Act of 1935 "makes provision for the licensing, control and supervision of places used for public dancing" and citizens have to "apply for a licence".

The Act warns those who hold dances without a licence they are liable to a fine of "£5".

Mr Leyden is calling for a change in the law.

"As the owner of the Castlecoote Replica Dail Bar, I have a vested interest in dancing, but this is still a case of red tape gone mad in a country where Eamon de Valera and John Waters have made 'Dancing at the Crossroads' famous," he said.

"In Spain or elsewhere, one can dance where one wants, in any pub or anywhere else, without having any stupid licence," he said.